Written Answers Thursday 2 October 2008

Scottish Executive

Alcohol

Rhoda Grant (Highlands and Islands) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what measures are in place to enforce existing provisions for controlling the sale of alcohol.

Kenny MacAskill: Enforcement is the responsibility of the local licensing boards and the relevant police forces under various powers in the Licensing (Scotland) Act 1976.

  We are also implementing the Licensing (Scotland) Act 2005 to the timetable set out by the last administration, which will update the licensing regime and offers new tools for more effective enforcement.

  One example we have already put in place is the roll-out of test purchasing across all Scottish police forces, and we are pleased to note that many local authorities have already appointed Licensing Standards Officers who will play an instrumental part in ensuring licence holders adhere to the conditions of their licence.

Birds

John Farquhar Munro (Ross, Skye and Inverness West) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will compensate farmers and crofters who are losing stock due to sea eagle predation, as it did under scheme that was operated on Mull.

Michael Russell: Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) has operated management schemes for Mull, Skye and Lochaber in connection with the sea eagle reintroduction programme. The Skye and Lochaber scheme continues until 2011. I am aware of the concerns expressed by some farmers and crofters about losses of stock due to sea eagle predation and have asked SNH to provide me with advice on the matter after they have consulted the community.

  I will write to the member as soon as an assessment of that advice has been completed and a copy will be placed in the Scottish Parliament Information Centre (Bib. number 46678).

Central Heating Programme

Jackie Baillie (Dumbarton) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S3W-15447 by Stewart Maxwell on 18 September 2008, how many of the applications for the central heating programme from January 2007 to August 2008 were successful.

Stewart Maxwell: From January 2007 to August 2008 inclusive, 33,442 met the qualifying criteria and proceeded to the survey stage. Entitlement is then confirmed during the survey stage in the applicant’s home.

Cities

Irene Oldfather (Cunninghame South) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what importance it places on the findings of the European Urban Audit for cities in Scotland.

Jim Mather: The Scottish Government makes use of various data sources when formulating policy. The importance of any data source will depend on the issue being investigated. Urban Audit can provide a useful comparison with other European cities, however more information for Scottish and other UK cities is available from other sources.

Communities

Johann Lamont (Glasgow Pollok) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S3W-15066 by Fergus Ewing on 3 September 2008, how organisations were made aware of the proposal to hold IslamFest and how they might express an interest in organising the event.

Johann Lamont (Glasgow Pollok) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S3W-15066 by Fergus Ewing on 3 September 2008, which organisations responded to the invitation to express an interest in the proposal to organise IslamFest.

Fergus Ewing: Individuals originally involved in the IslamFest proposal during the term of the previous administration subsequently formed the Scottish Islamic Foundation which is developing and delivering the IslamFest events. As part of this work the Scottish Islamic Foundation will engage with potential partner organisations and it is open to any organisation with an interest in this event to contact the foundation directly.

Communities

Johann Lamont (Glasgow Pollok) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S3W-15066 by Fergus Ewing on 3 September 2008, how many times in 2007-08 the First Minister gave approval to a funding decision by the Equality Unit.

Fergus Ewing: The First Minister routinely has sight of advice relating to significant initiatives.

Communities

Johann Lamont (Glasgow Pollok) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S3W-15066 by Fergus Ewing on 3 September 2008, whether the decision by the First Minister to grant funding of £200,000 to the Scottish Islamic Foundation was made in writing.

Fergus Ewing: The First Minister’s approval in principle of the funding for IslamFest, subject to agreement by officials of a detailed proposal, was minuted under normal procedures.

Communities

Bill Butler (Glasgow Anniesland) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive how it plans to promote constructive dialogue between faith and belief communities and enhance the interaction these communities have with all levels of government.

Fergus Ewing: The Scottish Government is committed to promoting constructive dialogue between faith and belief communities and uses established fora, such as the Faith Liaison Advisory Group, to do this. We also meet with organisations such as Faith in Communities Scotland to discuss inter-community relations and are pleased that faith and belief communities have participated in national conversation events.

  Additionally in April we established the independent Scottish Working Group on Religion and Belief Relations to consider how to promote constructive dialogue between religious and belief communities. The working group has been given the following remit:

  "To develop a Scottish strategic framework which can be used to encourage constructive dialogue between religious and belief communities and support the Scottish Government in promoting positive activity between these communities."

  The working group is currently taking forward consultation with stakeholders and interest groups, and I have asked them to make their recommendations to me in early 2009.

Concessionary Travel

Jackie Baillie (Dumbarton) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S3W-15227 by Stewart Stevenson on 8 September 2008, when the steering group set up to review free bus travel for elderly and disabled people will report.

Stewart Stevenson: The Steering Group plans to report to ministers towards the end of this year.

Concessionary Travel

Jackie Baillie (Dumbarton) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it intends to introduce restrictions to the number of journeys per day that elderly or disabled people who qualify for free bus travel can make.

Stewart Stevenson: We don’t intend to introduce any restrictions to the number of journeys per day that those who currently benefit from the scheme can already make.

Debt

Stuart McMillan (West of Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what discussions it has had with UK ministers concerning the level of consumer debt in Scotland.

Stewart Maxwell: We are in regular contact with the Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform on consumer debt issues.

Drug Misuse

Irene Oldfather (Cunninghame South) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what discussions it has had with the UK Government and other key stakeholders regarding the European Commission’s EU Drugs Action Plan for 2009-12.

Fergus Ewing: Discussions have been held at an official level with the UK Government on the content of the EU Drugs Action Plan for 2009-12 to ensure it is consistent with our new drugs strategy, The Road to Recovery , which was published on 29 May 2008. Many of the issues set out in the action plan are similar to those in our strategy, which we developed in consultation with a wide range of key interests. I am undertaking a programme of visits in the autumn to continue discussions with local partners about the priorities of the strategy and how it can be successfully implemented on the ground.

Economy

Stuart McMillan (West of Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what discussions it has had with the Office of Fair Trading regarding future economic and social implications of the credit crunch.

Stewart Maxwell: We are in regular contact with the Office of Fair Trading to ensure that markets, including the consumer credit market, work well for consumers.

Employment

Irene Oldfather (Cunninghame South) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what discussions it has had with the UK Government and key stakeholders regarding the promotion of Job Day Europe 2008.

Fiona Hyslop: Jobcentre Plus has been involved in organising the UK engagement with Job Day Europe. Jobcentre Plus regularly meet with the Scottish Executive on a wide range of employment related matters.

Environmental Justice

Paul Martin (Glasgow Springburn) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what environmental justice projects it is funding.

Michael Russell: The Scottish Government funds a number of programmes to improve the lives of people affected by nuisance, pollution, litter, industrial decline and other environmental issues.

Equalities

Hugh O'Donnell (Central Scotland) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it recognises the role that the Equality and Diversity Education Officers Network Scotland plays in equality and anti-discrimination education by providing assistance and support for racial equality and diversity officers in schools.

Hugh O'Donnell (Central Scotland) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive, following the decision of the Schools Directorate to halt funding for the Equality and Diversity Education Officers Network Scotland (EDEONS), what measures are being taken to ensure the continuation of the services that EDEONS provides.

Maureen Watt: The Scottish Government commends the work of the Equality and Diversity Education Officers Network Scotland and has agreed to fund the network in 2008-09, in line with their grant application. I have asked my officials to meet with the network in the near future, to discuss its on-going role and the most effective model of future funding.

Farming

Jamie McGrigor (Highlands and Islands) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to open the single farm payment scheme to new entrants and how much it estimates this would cost.

Richard Lochhead: Helping new entrants to farming is a priority for the Scottish Government and in our consultation Future Implementation of the Common Agriculture Policy in Scotland we sought views on using the national reserve to give new entrants access to single farm payment. That consultation closed on 5 September 2008 and the responses are currently being analysed. We will take decisions on the future implementation of the single farm payment once the current EU negotiations on the CAP health check have been completed.

  The costs of any such scheme would depend on uptake. Under EU rules the costs would be met through reducing single farm payment to other farmers in Scotland.

Ferry Services

Peter Peacock (Highlands and Islands) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answers to questions S3W-16164 and S3W-16163 by Stewart Stevenson on 23 September 2008, whether there are circumstances in which a general requirement to tender can be waived or an exemption sought and, if so, what such circumstances are.

Stewart Stevenson: Where EU procurement law imposes a requirement to tender, there is no provision for waiver or for seeking an exemption.

Ferry Services

Peter Peacock (Highlands and Islands) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S3W-16164 by Stewart Stevenson on 23 September 2008, whether the procurement process referred to applies when there is only one vessel available that is able to meet the specifications for the proposed route or routes within the EU area.

Stewart Stevenson: The requirements of EU law as to fairness and non-discrimination mean that any specification should be objective; it should identify the requirements to be met and should not specify the characteristics of a particular vessel. This means that in practice it would not be possible to say in advance that only one vessel in the EU could meet those specifications.

Ferry Services

Peter Peacock (Highlands and Islands) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answers to questions S3W-16164 and S3W-16163 by Stewart Stevenson on 23 September 2008, whether the EU has powers to vary the provisions of tendering requirements on receipt of a suitable case from a member state, devolved government or agency thereof.

Stewart Stevenson: The EU has no powers to powers to vary the provisions of tendering requirements on receipt of a suitable case from a member state, devolved government or agency thereof.

Ferry Services

Peter Peacock (Highlands and Islands) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answers to questions S3W-16164 and S3W-16163 by Stewart Stevenson on 23 September 2008, whether the tendering rules referred to apply when the purpose of seeking a vessel on the open market is to operate a service that represents a permitted and small percentage adjustment to a contract that was the subject of an open and transparent tendering process under EU rules.

Stewart Stevenson: Yes. The tendering rules do apply. The use to which the vessel is to be put does not prevent the application of the normal rules to the acquisition of the vessel.

Ferry Services

Peter Peacock (Highlands and Islands) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive whether Caledonian Maritime Assets Ltd has on (a) any and (b) every occasion secured individual vessels for lease through an open and transparent tendering process.

Stewart Stevenson: Caledonian Maritime Assets Ltd has never secured vessels by lease.

Ferry Services

Peter Peacock (Highlands and Islands) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive whether CalMac Ferries Ltd is required to secure vessels from Caledonian Maritime Assets Ltd by means of an open tender process and has followed such a process on every occasion when it has secured a vessel from that company.

Stewart Stevenson: Under the terms of the Public Service Contract for the provision of the Clyde and Hebrides Ferry Service (CHFS), CalMac Ferries Limited is required to bareboat charter Caledonian Maritime Assets Limited’s vessels. The CHFS contract was tendered in compliance with the EU rules and regulations.

Financial Services

Stuart McMillan (West of Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what representations it has made to Her Majesty’s Government about limiting interest rates charged by credit and store cards with a view to tackling consumer debt in the context of the Scottish Government’s policies on improving financial inclusion.

Stewart Maxwell: We are in regular contact with the UK Government. The UK Government has stated that it believes that increased regulation is not necessarily the best way to achieve a balance between the financial services industry and its customers, on a range of financial inclusion issues.

Flooding

Michael Matheson (Falkirk West) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what action it is taking to reduce flooding in Scotland.

Michael Russell: The Scottish Government has introduced the Flood Risk Management (Scotland) Bill, which will introduce a modernised and sustainable approach to flood risk management in Scotland and address all types of flooding. It will give authorities the powers they need to coordinate sustainable flood management at a catchment scale.

Fresh Talent Initiative

Joe FitzPatrick (Dundee West) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has information on the impact of the Fresh Talent initiative on (a) the performance of the Scottish economy, (b) the number of foreign students at Scottish universities and (c) levels of immigration to Scotland.

Linda Fabiani: It is not possible to identify the particular impact of the Fresh Talent: Working in Scotland Scheme on the performance of the Scottish economy or the number of foreign students at Scottish universities.

  Immigration is currently reserved to the UK Government and the Scottish Government does not have information on the impact of the Fresh Talent: Working in Scotland Scheme on levels of immigration to Scotland. However we do know there have been around 8,400 international graduates applied to remain in Scotland under the Fresh Talent: Working in Scotland Scheme to work after completing their studies.

  We have recently published a review of the Fresh Talent: Working in Scotland Scheme which is available on the Scottish Government website and the Scottish Parliament Information Centre (Bib. number 46484). http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2008/08/15155422/0.

Housing

Mr Frank McAveety (Glasgow Shettleston) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive how it will respond to the submission by Govanhill Housing Association regarding slum landlords.

Stewart Maxwell: We recognise this is a significant problem and the Scottish Government will work with local authority and other agencies to identify solutions.

  The Scottish Government has not received any formal submissions from Govanhill Housing Association regarding slum landlords. However, I am aware that Govanhill Housing Association submitted a petition to the Petitions Committee on 2 September 2008.

  As the petition has yet to be heard by the committee it would not be appropriate for me to comment on it.

  The Scottish Government is tackling substandard housing in Govanhill and across Scotland by providing local authorities with the necessary powers to target problem areas. Powers will be radically enhanced on full implementation of the Housing (Scotland) Act 2006 and councils’ efforts are underpinned by sustained investment through Private Sector Housing Grant.

Justice

Margo MacDonald (Lothians) (Ind): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will consider a full review of the current application process and issuing fresh guidance to organisations looking to gain rights of audience under sections 25 to 29 of the Law Reform (Miscellaneous Provisions) (Scotland) Act 1990, in light of concerns that the Association of Commercial Attorneys have expressed over the time taken to progress its application.

Kenny MacAskill: The application from the Association of Commercial Attorneys was the first application for rights to conduct litigation and rights of audience in the courts. The case has been complex and it has taken some time to resolve the outstanding issues. However, I do not consider that a review of the application process is necessary at this time.

Justice

Johann Lamont (Glasgow Pollok) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive how many indicators explicitly referring to violence against women are included in single outcome agreements, broken down by local authority.

Stewart Maxwell: The single outcome agreements (SOA) reflect the priorities and agreed outcomes for each council and include relevant supporting indicators and targets. Copies of all 32 SOAs which were agreed with local authorities on 30 June can be obtained via the Improvement Service website by following the link below:

  http://www.improvementservice.org.uk/component/option,com_docman/Itemid,43/task,cat_view/gid,561/.

Livestock

Jim Hume (South of Scotland) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive what measures it has taken or is taking to protect Scotland against bluetongue.

Richard Lochhead: Post-import testing of all livestock coming to the UK from bluetongue-affected countries on the European continent has been in place since bluetongue was found in the Netherlands in 2006.

  In Scotland we have, in addition, a post-movement notification system for all susceptible animals that have been in any bluetongue restricted zone within the previous 60 days. The Scottish Government has also made it a requirement that animals entering Scotland from any restricted zone under conditions of vaccination must be accompanied by a certificate that proves vaccination by a veterinarian. These additional provisions provide protection from domestic as well as foreign bluetongue-infected areas.

  Finally, in light of the recent spate of infected imports to England and Wales, I have, in agreement with industry stakeholders, committed Scotland to launching a vaccination campaign against BTV8 this winter. This will not commence before the 1 November 2008. Twelve million doses of vaccine have been secured by the Scottish Government on behalf of industry and the first batch of 1 million is available for contingency purposes only; the rest of the order will be made available once the campaign is launched. The Scottish Government is supporting the first year of the campaign by paying 50% of the cost of the vaccine from the manufacturer.

  Whilst the Scottish Government is undertaking significant work to protect Scotland against bluetongue it remains important that animal keepers recognise their role and, in particular, avoid sourcing stock from high risk areas.

Migration

Joe FitzPatrick (Dundee West) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what information it holds on the economic impact of skilled immigration to Scotland.

Linda Fabiani: While immigration is currently a reserved issue, skilled immigration is an important contributor to the growth of Scotland’s economy. We have recently published analysis undertaken by Strathclyde University which identifies that continued levels of immigration will be an important driver of future economic growth in Scotland. This can be found on the Scottish Government’s website at:

  http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/Research/by-topic/public-services-and-gvt/Demography-Research-Prog/EconomicImpactofScottish.

  We are also aware of various analyses that have been undertaken to estimate the impacts of immigration on Scotland’s regional and local economies.

Migration

Joe FitzPatrick (Dundee West) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has any estimates of the likely impact of the change to the Fresh Talent initiative, making it part of the UK-wide post study immigration category as of 30 June 2008, on (a) levels of immigration to Scotland, (b) numbers of foreign students at Scottish universities and (c) Scotland’s economic performance.

Linda Fabiani: Immigration is currently a reserved issue and as such the Scottish Government has no estimates of the likely impact of the change to the Fresh Talent: Working in Scotland Scheme. The scheme has enabled over 8,400 international graduates to remain in Scotland and work after study and although the scheme has been widened out to the rest of the UK, international graduates from a Scottish university will still have the opportunity to work in Scotland after they graduate, as will graduates from the rest of the UK.

Migration

Joe FitzPatrick (Dundee West) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has any estimates of the likely impact on levels of skilled immigration to Scotland of the change to a points-based immigration system in the United Kingdom.

Linda Fabiani: The Scottish Government has no estimates of the likely impact on levels of skilled immigration to Scotland of the change to a points-based immigration system. Immigration is currently reserved and the Home Office noted in its Regulatory Impact Assessment, which accompanied the introduction of the UK points-based immigration system, that it is very difficult to accurately predict the exact impact of the new system on the numbers and types of people who might come to Scotland to work.

Migration

Joe FitzPatrick (Dundee West) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has any estimates of the likely impact on the performance of the Scottish economy of the change to a points-based immigration system in the United Kingdom.

Linda Fabiani: The Scottish Government has no estimates of the likely impact on the performance of the Scottish economy of the change to a points-based immigration system. Immigration is currently reserved and the Home Office noted in its Regulatory Impact Assessment, which accompanied the introduction of the UK points-based immigration system, that it is very difficult to accurately predict the exact impact of the new system on the numbers and types of people who might come to Scotland to work.

Migration

Joe FitzPatrick (Dundee West) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has received any representations from Scottish businesses expressing concern about the impact of the introduction of a points-based immigration system on their ability to attract and retain skilled workers.

Linda Fabiani: We received representations from the Asian restaurant industry about its ability to recruit skilled chefs from the subcontinent. As immigration is currently reserved to the UK Government, these were conveyed to the Home Secretary. We also encouraged representatives to engage with the Migration Advisory Committee, which they did. Skilled chefs were included on the Shortage Occupation list produced last month.

Migration

Joe FitzPatrick (Dundee West) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what Scottish representation there is on the Migration Advisory Committee and what input the Scottish Government has had on the form that representation should take.

Linda Fabiani: Immigration is currently reserved to the UK Government and as such appointment to the Migration Advisory Committee is a matter for them.

  We are advised that members of the Migration Advisory Committee are independent experts who have been appointed by merit through open competition and as such there is no representation on the basis of geography. The current members are; Professor David Metcalf CBE, Chair, Dr Martin Ruhs, Professor Jonathan Wadsworth, Dr Diane Coyle and Professor Robert Wilson. Mike Campbell of the Commission for Employment and Skills is an ex officio member of the committee.

  The previous administration wrote to the Home Secretary asking to ensure appropriate Scottish representation on the MAC. This was declined on the grounds that the appointments would be open competition based on the Nolan principles.

Migration

Joe FitzPatrick (Dundee West) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what input it had to the Migration Advisory Committee’s work on the production of shortage occupation lists for the United Kingdom and Scotland in relation to tier 2 skilled employment and whether it considers that its input was taken into account in the committee’s report.

Linda Fabiani: While immigration is currently a reserved issue, the Scottish Government has worked closely with the Migration Advisory Committee (MAC) since its inception and ministers provided views on the proposed methodology and work plan early in the process. Alongside UKBA, officials facilitated a session for employers in Glasgow and undertook visits to Scottish employers. Along with Scottish Enterprise, Scottish Government officials promoted the MAC’s work with a view to raising awareness amongst business networks and encouraging employers to engage with the process. This employer engagement has been reflected in the MAC’s report.

Nuclear Power

George Foulkes (Lothians) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what representations it has received calling for a review of its policy on nuclear power generation.

Jim Mather: The Scottish Government receives many representations on its energy policies, including the issue of nuclear power, from a range of individuals and organisations. As with all policy, these representations express a variety of views.

  We have made it clear that Scotland does not want or need new nuclear power stations. We are developing renewable and low carbon energy supplies for a secure future. This view has been endorsed by the Parliament and commands wide respect across Scotland.

Police

Robert Brown (Glasgow) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive how many additional police officers it has delivered since May 2007.

Robert Brown (Glasgow) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive how many additional police officers, compared with numbers in May 2007, it expects to deliver through recruitment in (a) 2008-09, (b) 2009-10 and (c) 2010-11.

Robert Brown (Glasgow) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive how many full-time equivalent police officers it expects to be in post in May 2011 and how this number compares with that in May 2007.

Kenny MacAskill: I refer the member to the answer to question S3W-16471 on 1 October 2008. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/webapp/wa.search .

Public Appointments

George Foulkes (Lothians) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive which appointments made by ministers since May 2007 have been subject to the Commissioner for Public Appointments in Scotland’s code of practice.

John Swinney: All Office of the Commissioner for Public Appointments in Scotland (OCPAS) regulated appointments are routinely shown on the Scottish Government website when they commence.

  OCPAS regulated appointments made since May 2007 can be viewed on the internet at:

  www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/Government/public-bodies/directory .

Public Appointments

George Foulkes (Lothians) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive which appointments made by ministers since May 2007 have not been subject to the Commissioner for Public Appointments in Scotland’s code of practice and what the reasons were in each case.

John Swinney: Information on unregulated appointments is not held centrally.

  The number of appointments that have been made without adherence to the Office of the Commissioner for Public Appointments in Scotland Code since May 2007 is thought to be small.

Rail Network

Iain Smith (North East Fife) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive when it last met First ScotRail to discuss rail services in Fife and what issues were discussed.

Stewart Stevenson: Transport Scotland meets regularly with First ScotRail to discuss a range of issues including Fife services. A meeting took place on Thursday 25 September 2008 to discuss timetabling including matters relevant to Fife services.

Rendition Flights

Ian McKee (Lothians) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what consideration it has given to Amnesty International’s request that it adopt a basic anti-rendition policy for the airports under its control.

Kenny MacAskill: The Scottish Government remains firmly opposed as a matter of principle to rendition. I have obtained assurances from the UK Government that no rendition will take place through the UK or its airspace without its prior express permission, and that such permission would only be granted if they were satisfied that the rendition would accord with UK law and the UK’s international obligations. I have also made clear to the UK Government our view that a rendition could never meet those conditions, and that we therefore do not expect that such permission would ever be granted in practice. This position applies to all airports in Scotland, not just those in the public sector.

Roads

Irene Oldfather (Cunninghame South) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what discussions it has had with stakeholders in North Ayrshire on the construction of the Dalry bypass.

Stewart Stevenson: Discussions have taken place with representatives from North Ayrshire Council, Statutory Consultees and the land owners likely to be affected by the proposals with a view to identifying the preferred route for a Dalry Bypass.

Roads

Irene Oldfather (Cunninghame South) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what importance it places on the construction of the Dalry bypass in supporting the recovery of the North Ayrshire economy.

Stewart Stevenson: We recognise the importance of the bypass to the North Ayrshire economy. The A737, including a bypass of Dalry is being considered as part of the STPR to identify a programme of transport interventions for the period 2012 to 2022 along Scotland’s key national strategic transport corridors targeted at facilitating better movement of people and goods across Scotland.

School Meals

Bob Doris (Glasgow) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive when it intends to publish the report of the evaluation of its free school meals trial for P1 to P3 pupils in five local authorities.

Fiona Hyslop: The report of the evaluation of the free school meals trial is being published on Thursday 2 October. I have introduced an Order to the Scottish Parliament which will allow all local authorities to provide free school meals for P1 - P3 pupils enabling this concordat commitment to be delivered as planned from August 2010 in all schools in Scotland.

Schools

Rhona Brankin (Midlothian) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive how many contracts for new school buildings it is negotiating for which negotiations commenced after 3 May 2007.

Maureen Watt: The negotiation of such contracts is a matter for local authorities rather than the Scottish Government.

Scottish Futures Trust

George Foulkes (Lothians) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what remuneration and other benefits are provided to persons appointed as Chair of the Scottish Futures Trust.

John Swinney: I refer the member to the answer to question S3W-16268 on 24 September 2008. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/webapp/wa.search .

Scottish Futures Trust

George Foulkes (Lothians) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive which of its officials are responsible for liaison and oversight of the Scottish Futures Trust.

John Swinney: Work by Scottish Government officials to support the establishment of the Scottish Futures Trust is overseen by the Director of Finance, Alyson Stafford, and by the Director General of Finance and Corporate Services, Stella Manzie. A number of individual officials are involved in the day to day development and liaison work, as specific needs arise.

Scottish Government Staff

George Foulkes (Lothians) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what arrangements are in place for assessing the performance of its senior officials; whether any have failed such assessment in the last financial year, and what action has been taken.

John Swinney: The performance of all senior civil servants (SCS) is planned, managed and assessed using a common, service-wide framework which has been provided by the Cabinet Office.

  The performance management process for the SCS includes individual reviews in the course of the year to ensure that objectives remain relevant and that they are being delivered. There is a formal performance assessment at the end of the reporting year. The performance management arrangements are not operated on a pass or fail basis. The emphasis is on continued individual development and all SCS are expected to have a personal development plan which should be reviewed every six months. This allows for on-going development of all staff.

Scottish Government Staff

George Foulkes (Lothians) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive whether any of its officials receive any extra financial assistance from it to enable their children to attend private schools.

John Swinney: No UK-based Scottish Government officials receive assistance to pay for private school fees. Scottish Government staff posted abroad with accompanying children are eligible to receive financial assistance for educational costs. The amount of assistance is calculated in accordance with the Foreign and Commonwealth Office rules for foreign postings of civil servants.

Scottish Government Travel

George Foulkes (Lothians) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what the policy is regarding the class of travel by air for different flight durations for Scottish ministers and accompanying officials.

John Swinney: When travelling on official business, Scottish Government ministers and civil servants are required to consider if a journey is necessary in every instance. They are also required to travel in the most cost–effective and time efficient method available at the time of travelling. This includes taking advantage of the Government Air Fare Programme which offers discounted fares to government departments and accounts for 90% of the air travel undertaken by ministers and civil servants.

Sectarianism

Bill Butler (Glasgow Anniesland) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive how many anti-sectarianism projects it is supporting through its Race, Religion and Refugee Integration Fund.

Fergus Ewing: During the 2007-08 financial year the Scottish Government supported Sense Over Sectarianism with £88,750 to deliver community-based anti-sectarian projects and provided Nil by Mouth with £51,500 to undertake anti-sectarian education work. We also provided £85,000 to support and run the "Sectarianism: Don’t Give It, Don’t Take It" online education resource and deliver related theatre based workshops and this was complimented by £100,000 going to schools across Scotland to undertake anti-sectarian projects. We also provided Football for All with £150,000 to develop and run the football-based anti-sectarian campaign "Kick out Bigotry".

  In addition we have already made a number of commitments up to March 2011. For example, we are committing £412,500 to Sense over Sectarianism to continue their anti-sectarian work in the Glasgow and travel to work area; we will provide Nil by Mouth with £53,000 to continue their anti-sectarian work, and have also committed £22,000 to YouthLink Scotland to develop an anti-sectarian resource for youth workers. Further funding is being considered as part of a broader package of activities to tackle sectarianism in Scotland.

Shipbuilding

Jamie Stone (Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive what representations are being made to the UK Government in relation to the sub-contracting of part of the construction of new warships to companies operating at Nigg.

Jim Mather: Scottish ministers are in regular contact with their UK counterparts in the UK Government and work to promote and support the naval shipbuilding industry in Scotland. Most recently this has involved extensive engagement with MoD ministers around the aircraft carriers contract signing and the Military Afloat Reach and Sustainability vessels. I have on-going engagement with leading companies in the sector and further engagement is also in hand. We remain open to working with companies operating at Nigg and Highlands and Islands Enterprise to take forward future ministerial discussions with the UK Government regarding the sub-contracting of part of the construction of new warships to companies operating at Nigg.

Waste Management

Joe FitzPatrick (Dundee West) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to increase the amount of commercial and industrial waste recycled in Scotland.

Richard Lochhead: This is an issue for the forthcoming review of the National Waste Plan. In particular, we will consider what more can be done to provide advice to business on minimising waste and improvements to data on commercial and industrial waste to encourage investment in recycling plants. Also whether any further voluntary or legislative steps can be taken to increase recycling of business waste.

  In the meantime, I have issued a consultation on potential waste legislation, for inclusion in the Climate Change Bill, which includes a number of innovative proposals on how to increase recycling rates in Scotland including the provision of more recycling facilities at work and in public places.